Many of those surveyed thought generic drugs had different side effects; 16 percent of those surveyed agreed that generic drugs are not as safe as brand-names. And 14 percent said generic drugs don't have to meet the same federal standards as brand names. But Bill Ladwig, Director of Pharmacy at Lewis Drug, says those assumptions are absolutely not true.

“Generics have to go through the same testing process. And there occasionally may be somebody who has a dye allergy. One of the inactive products inside the tablet that might be slightly different, but in the big picture, they're rated the same. I take generics whenever possible,” Ladwig said.

The FDA says generics have the same risks and benefits as their counterparts.

Those surveyed were also asked if they cut back on medical care within the last year and how they did. Nearly 40 percent of the 1,000 people polled said they cut back, whether by cutting pills in half or cutting out their medications all together.